Cruising pioneer Sarina Bratton
says Australia is missing out on
millions of tourism dollars due to
its failure to meet the needs of
the world’s luxury cruising sector.
AUSTRALIA has the potential to be one of
the leading expedition and small ship cruise
destinations in the world – but outdated
legislation and high costs are creating
unnecessary barriers to operators wanting to
capitalise on the potential.
Bratton, who sold her remaining stake
in Orion Expedition Cruises to Lindblad
Expeditions earlier this year, highlighted
the ‘Coastal Voyage Exemption’ which was
introduced for cruise ships in the 1990s, in the
interests of developing tourism.
However the government definition of a
cruise ship is a vessel of more than 5000
tonnes, over 100 passengers and capable of
more than 15 knots – which precludes many of
the world’s “best known and most successful
small and expedition cruise ships,” according
to Bratton.
This would include vessels such as Seadream
I and II, Caledonian Sky, Orion and Le Ponant,
all of which are less than 5000 tonnes.
“A ship like Orion must go to the Kimberley
via East Timor because it does not qualify for a
Coastal Voyage Exemption. How crazy is that?”
Bratton said.
“In fact, 80% of the expedition ships in the
world are not currently exempt, so we are
missing out on an opportunity to reach global
databases that could bring thousands of highyielding
tourists and millions of dollars into
Australia, particularly remote and regional
Australia,” she added.
Bratton also highlighted the fact that
the Coastal Voyage Exemptions must be
renewed every two years – requiring cruise
ship operators to “live in faith” that the
government will continue the policy when
arranging deployments some years out.
And port costs and operational constraints
are also an issue, with Bratton contrasting
the cost of a port call in Sydney for a 100-150
passenger cruise ship which amounts to more
than $52,000.
That compares to just $11,660 in Singapore.
“On this basis we are not competitive,”
Bratton said.
She said that if these issues can be addressed
“I see Australia in the near future becoming
the expedition venue of the world”.
